Combination beam and package dyeing machine



Aug. 18, 1942. H. s. DRUM ETAL COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEINGMACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 6, 1940 Mu fl 3 0 4 1 0 z 6 F a w ma z a m Km L w I M m m m M J MM h A J m z. 1: J4 a M a a y w z 2 W, F I1 a fi 42L, 51 m m 1 1 m A H A: w w M m 4 2 4% w H M 3 pl Ms L fi w z zm M 1 a w m j A W r 5 a w M TE m F L4 m m. w

.Attorngys Aug. 18, 1942.

H. SQD'RUM ET AL COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept.6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnventazzs Hang $.Drum "William afiodsarwv,L'ZZiaJII/ 1f. Jrwlzez'rrzer 3 6;, w

Aug. 1.8, 1942. s, DRUM ETAL 2,293,599

COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1940 sSheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECOMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Application September. 6,1940, Serial No. 355,612

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to the dyeing or treating of yarn and moreparticularly to a multichamber assembly for carrying out such operationsin a novel manner.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a yarndyeing apparatus wherein both yarn wound on beams or yarn in packageform can be efiiciently dyed; to provide a yarn dyeing apparatus whereinyarn in package form can be dyed simultaneously with a yarn beam andproduce uniform dyeing in each instance; to provide a multi-chamberapparatus for dyeing wherein one dye bath serves for any yarn capacity;to provide a multi-chamber apparatus for dyeing wherein a uniform liquorratio is maintained for any yarn; to provide a dyeing apparatus whereina number of yarn carriers can be accommodated, each in its own chamber,While the dye liquor is fed into a distributor common to all chambers;to provide a dyeing apparatus wherein a number of yarn carriers can beaccommodated, each in its own chamber, While the dye liquor returns tothe source of delivery from a distributor common to all the chambers; toprovide an accessory for a dyeing apparatus which maintainssubstantially the same liquor ratio to yarn when dyeing less than a fullload as exists when dyeing a full load; and to provide otherimprovements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation online Il of Fig. 3, of a multi-chamber treating apparatus embodying oneform of the present invention;, and showing an arrangement arrangedrespectively for beam and package dyeing or treating; Fig. 2 representsa sectional elevation on line 22 of Fig. 3 of the same showing the useof a different type of package carrier and a novel unit for the blankingoff of one of the treating chambers; Fig. 3 represents a section on line33 of Fig. 1 but with the treating chambers empty; Fig. 4 represents aperspective of one form of blanking ofi device; Fig. 5 represents asectional elevation showing another form of blanking off device; Fig. 6represents a perspective of an adapter serving as a basal support for apackage carrier when positioned in a treating chamber; Fig. 7 representsa section on line '|1 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 represents a sectionalelevation, taken diametrically through two of the chambers of theapparatus, showing a modified form of the invention as applied to a unithaving a plane surface cover and a plane surface bottom;

Fig. 9 represents a section on line 8-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 represents a section on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8 and Fig. 11represents a detail in perspective of the upper ends of the chambers toshow the notches for intercommunication.

Referring to the drawings one form of the present invention comprehendsa yarn dyeing or treating apparatus wherein a plurality of treatingchambers are embodied as a unitary structure, the arrangement being suchthat in accordance with the invention both package and beam dyeing canbe simultaneously carried out, or all beam dyeing, or all packagedyeing, or one or more of the chambers can be closed off whilecontinuing dyeing in the remaining chambers. As shown a unit of fourchambers is illustrated, by way of example, but the invention is notlimited to this number as other arrangements are within the scope of theinvention. As shown the apparatus consists of a housing ll! of metal(such, for example, as stainless steel) having a contour such as toprovide four open ended treating chambers II. The housing I0 is formedwith a convex bottom I2 and a cover [3, also convex, which is hinged atM and arranged to be locked and sealed in closed position by turnbuckleclamps I5 and gasket It. A filler plate I! is welded or otherwisesecured to the upper end of the housing to close the space formed by theadjacent chamber walls. At the lower end of the housing there is aninternal flange l8 welded or otherwise fastened in place to serve undercertain conditions as a supporting ring for a removable part. These openends of the chambers provide access to the respective chambers whereinthe yarn beams, or package carriers are to be received. With the cover[3 closed, its concave face forms an upper dome 20 normally incommunication with the several chambers II. The concave face of thebottom i2 forms an in verted manifold 21.

In order to support whatever unit is to be placed in a chamber and alsoto permit treating liquor to enter such unit, the bottom I2 is providedwith a plurality of sets of upstanding posts 23, each set beingconcentrically disposed with respect to the axis of a chamber I I,Within each set of posts 23 there is a tubular liquor inlet member 24coaxially located with respect to its superposed chamber II andterminating in relatively close proximity to the lower end of thatchamber, where it forms an annular seat for supporting whatever unit isto be used in that chamber. Preferably a gasket 25 is located on thisseat to form a leak-proof joint with the aforesaid unit. These inletmembers 24 are connected to a liquor circulating pipe 26 leading to acontrol valve (not shown) by which the direction of the circulation isreversed according to requirements in a well known manner. A main liquorport 21 forms a communication between the manifold 21 and a circulatingpipe 30 also leading to the aforesaid control valve. Thus while themember 24 is referred to as an inlet it also serves as an outlet whenthe circulation is reversed, and likewise the port 21 is alsoalternately an inlet and an outlet according as to the source of liquorsupply is controlled by the control valve. This reversal of circulationis to cause the liquid to flow from the outside of the packages or beamto the inside and then from the inside to the outside, the changes ofdirec tion of circulation being alternate and according to certainpredetermined time intervals.

In order to anchor a treating unit in operative position, each member 24is formed with a transverse web 3| to which an elongated bolt shank 32is fixed and rises axially throughout the length of its vat to terminatein a. threaded end portion 33. Each unit is arranged to be anchored inplace by a nut 34 threaded on this portion 33, such nut taking differentforms to conform to the particular unit to be used.

The chamber H at the left in Fig. l is shown with a standard type ofyarn beam 35 located therein with its lower annular end seated upon anannular supporting adapter 36, this latter being bolted or otherwisefastened in registered relation upon the member 24 and posts 23. Thus aspositioned the bottom head 3'! of the beam 35 is within its chamberrelatively close toits lower r which seats in an annular boss 45 forminga part of an adapter 47. This latter is bolted or otherwise made fast tothe posts 23 in registering relation with the member 24 and sealing thejoint therewith by the gasket 25. Rising from the upper side of theheader 4| is a shank 48 so shaped at its upper end as to be engaged by asuitable lifting device as well understood. The nut 34 being threaded onthe bolt 32 anchors the carrier in place within its vat.

In Fig. 2, the chamber to the left is shown as having a yarn packagecarrier therein of the type having a circular manifold 59 arranged tosupport a plurality of upstanding spindles 51, each of which carries aplurality of yarn packages 52 in superposed relation and numbering inthis instance eight packages to a spindle. These spindles 5| risecircumferentially from the outer margin of the manifold 50, while fromthe center of the manifold rises a clamping tube 53 which telescopesover the bolt shank 32 to hold the carrier in place when the nut 34 istightened. The upper face of the manifold 50 lies in a plane above thebottom l2, namely, within the chamber while its lower face convergesinwardly and downwardly to communicate with the port 24 while forming anannular circular passage 54 between the chamber II and the manifold 2|.The annular bottom of the manifold 50 seats on the gasket 25 in registerwith the inlet member 24 and is held fast by the bolt shank 32 and nut34 as already described.

In Fig. 2, the chamber to the right is shown as having a blank-off unittherein for the pur- 5 pose of rendering any selected chambertemporarthe other operating chamber.

ily idle while others are in use, such action being accomplished withoutdisturbing the liquor ratio or the pressure of the liquor. In otherwords a variation in the capacity of the multi-chamber assembly does notvary the dye bath and provides a uniform liquor ratio at all times. Asshown this form of blankoif unit consists of a bottom head 55 of a sizeand shape to close the lower end of a chamber where it is arranged toseat on the upper face of the flange I 8. A gasket 56 serves to seal thejoint between the two parts. The head 55 is preferably welded to anelongated tube 51 arranged to telescope with the bolt shank 32 so thattightening of the nut 34 effectually clamps the head 55 in place.Radially disposed webs 58 brace the head 55 from the tube 51. Forclosing the upper end of the chamber a top head 50 is provided having ahub 6| slidable over the threaded end of shank 32 and engageable by thenut 34 to cause the head 60 to be pressed into sealing relation with theupper face of the top plate I! and thus close the upper end of thechamber. Radial webs 62 reinforce the head 60 as will be understood.

In order that the blanking off of a chamber does not disturb the liquorpressure and liquor to yarn ratio to any chamber in use, the bottom head55 of the blank-ofi unit is provided with a depending baffle 63coaxially located with respect to the inlet member 24 and verticallyspaced therefrom to form an annular passage 64 which directs liquor fromor to the manifold 21-. The dimensions of the baffle in an axialdirection are so proportioned as to give the passage 64 suchpredetermined area as will by-pass precisely the quantity of liquorwhich would circulate through the chamber were it to be in use witheither a beam or a package carrier therein. Thus if three chambers arein use and one blanked off, the by-passed liquor compensates for thesituation and the liquor to yarn ratio and pressure in the threechambers remains the same as when all four chambers are in use. Uniformtreatment or dyeing is thus obtained regardless of the capacity of theassembly.

In Fig. 5 another form of blanking-off device is shown, the samecomprising a closed hollow cylinder 65 arranged to be mounted coaxiallywithin a chamber H to serve as a dummy. The length and diameter of thiscylinder 65 are so proportioned as toreduce the volumetric area of thechamber by an amount calculated to equal the volume of liquor displacedby a yarn beam or a package carrier filled with packages. Thus aclearance passage is formed between the cylinder 65 and the wall of thechamber through which the required measured quantity of liquor can flowand thereby have no effect upon'the pressure on the bath or liquor toyarn ratio of In other words uniform conditions are maintainedregardless of one chamber being intentionally put out of commission. Inview of the fact that the circulated liquor is under pressure of seldomunder forty pounds it is preferable to fill the cylinder 65 with airunder a pressure sufiicient to, in a measure, resist the exteriorpressure of the liquor. In this way the material of the cylinder 65 canbe kept of a minimum thickness without danger of the cylinder collapsingunder such exterior pressure. Thus if the internal trapped pressure inthe cylinder is twenty pounds and the exterior liquor is under fortypounds pressure the material and assembly of the cylinder has towithstand only twenty pounds exterior pressure. As shown the dummycylinder 65 has an axially disposed tube 66 passing therethrough inorder to telescope with the bolt shank 32 and be anchored by the nut 34.Eyes 61 are provided for lifting the cylinder 65 as required. A suitablepressure valve 63 is provided whereby a medium under pressure isadmitted to the cylinder 65 and this can also be used for temporarilyattaching a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the air confined inthe cylinder.

In the foregoing the upper and lower manifolds are formed by reason ofthe curvature of the cover and bottom plate and hence there is freecirculation of liquor from one chamber to another. Where, however, thecover and bottom of the housing are formed by flat plane surfacesprovision has to be made for manifolds of sufficient capacity to permitthe required chamber to chamber circulation. Such conditions have beenmet by the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive,wherein the cover is formed of a casting 10, of dome shape provided witha face plate ll formed of stainless steel which seats upon the upperedge of the housing which shapes the several chambers. In order to formthis required upper manifold intercommunication between the chamberssegmental openings 12 are formed by notching the upper margin of thewalls of the chambers between the points of substantial contact, suchnotching being of a depth and length to allow the proper circulationfrom one chamber to another. Partitions are welded respectively acrossthe juxtaposed ends of these notches to prevent escape of liquor to theoutside of the housing. A plate 14 of proper contour to seal the'upperend of the space formed by the juxtaposed sides of the walls of thechamber, is welded or otherwise made fast to the aforesaid walls andpartitions 13. Thus when the cover is in closed position the openings 12serve as passages for the liquor from one chamber to another.

In this form of the invention the bottom is formed as a casting 15having a flat plane surface plate 16 of stainless steel attached theretoand arranged to seat against the lower end of the housing. This casting15 and plate 16 are provided with a central liquor port 11 and ports 18,these latter being respectively coaxial with the several chambers.Circulation is to port I! from the pump and return through ports 18 tothe pump or vice versa as will be understood. In order to form therequired lower manifold intercommunication between the chambers,segmental openings 80 are formed by notching the lower margin of thewalls of the chambers between the points of substantial contact, suchnotching being of a depth and length to allow the proper circulationfrom one chamber to another. Partitions 8| are welded respectivelyacross juxtaposed ends of these notches to prevent escape of liquor tothe outside of the housing. A plate 82, of proper contour to seal thelower end of the space formed by the juxtaposed sides of the walls ofthe chamber, is welded or otherwise made fast to the aforesaid walls andpartitions 8|.

Where the cover and bottom of treating kiers are cast of stainless steelof the generally curved type defects, such as blow-holes in the casting,often develope which means the expensive casting is a total loss. Suchdefects are seldom found until the apparatus is in use so that not onlydoes the manufacturer suffer loss but the customer loses time waitingfor the replacement. By the novel composite cover and bottom of thisinvention these losses and inconveniences are overcome because ablow-hole in the casing makes no difference since the sheet facing ofstainless steel effectually prevents any liquor reaching the outerdefective part.

It will now be apparent that a unitary yarn treating apparatus has beendevised wherein a plurality of yarn carriers are so exposed to a commonbath under balanced pressure as to maintain a ratio of liquor volume toyarn capacity lower than could be possible were all the yarn carriers ina bath formed by one open vat. Also by a novel feature of the inventionit is possible to totally disconnect one of a series of yarn carrierchambers from the others while maintaining approximately the same liquorto yarn ratio and/ or pressure in the remaining operating chambers. Inother words the liquor to yarn ratio and/ or pressure is maintainedsubstantially constant in changing from a full load to less than a fullload.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers,means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere,passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with anotherchamber, means for closing the lower ends of said chambers to theatmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of eachchamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquorsupply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectivelywith said chambers, means to mount a. yarn supporting device within eachchamber to establish communication between each port and the interior ofsaid device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating withall of said chambers, means to cutoff the supply of liquor to onechamber, and means for maintaining the liquor to yarn ratio in theremaining chambers substantially the same as though all chambers were inoperation.

2. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers,means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere,passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with anotherchamber, means for closing the lower ends of said chambers to theatmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of eachchamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquorsupply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectivelywith said chambers, means to mount a yarn supporting device within eachchamber to establish communication between each port and the interior ofsaid device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating withall of said chambers, means to cut-off the supply of liquor to onechamber, and means for maintaining the liquor pressure in the remainingchambers substantially the same as though all chambers were inoperation.

3. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers,means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere,passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with anotherchamber, means for closing the lower endsof said chambers to theatmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of eachchamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquorsupply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectivelywith said chambers, means to mount a yarn supporting device within eachchamber to establish communication between each port and the interior ofsaid device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating withall of said chambers, means to cut-off the supply of liquor to onechamber, and means for maintaining the liquor to yarn ratio and pressurein the remaining chambers substantially the same as though all chamberswere in operation.

4. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a pluralityof intercommunicating chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier forpackages of yarn, means for circulating liquor under a predeterminedpressure through said chambers to treat said packages, a device arrangedto stop the circulation as to one chamber only, and means to maintainsaid predetermined pressure in the remaining chambers during said stop.

5. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a pluralityof chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier for packages of yarn, apassage for liquor forming a communication between the upper end of eachchamber and an adjacent chamber, means to circulate treating liquorthrough said chambers, said passages, and

said packages, a device arranged to stop the circulation as to onechamber only, and means to maintain said predetermined pressure in theremaining chambers during said stop.

6. A dyeing apparatus, comprising means forming a plurality of chambers,means for circulating liquor through said chambers, and a blankoffmember for insertion in one of said chambers.

7. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a pluralityof treating chambers, and a blankofi member for insertion in one of saidchambers, comprising a hollow body filled with a medium under pressure.

8. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of -means forming a pluralityof treating chambers,

and a blank-01f member for insertion in one of 1 said chamberscomprising a hollow body filled with a medium under pressure, and meansto anchor said body in a chamber.

9. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of treatingchambers, means for closing the respective ends of said chambers to theatmosphere, each of said chambers being arranged to receive a yarnsupporting device of the type to circulate liquor therethrough, liquorcirculating pipes arranged to communicate respectively with the interiorof said devices and the interior of said chambers, means to seal bothends of one of said chambers to prevent liquor circulation therethrough,and means to maintain a predetermined liquor pressure in the chambersremaining in operation, said pressure being substantially the same asthat existing with all of said chambers in operation.

10. In a dyeing apparatus, comprising means forming a plurality ofchambers to receive yarn supporting devices respectively, means forcirculating liquor through said chambers under a predetermined pressure,a hollow dummy blankofi member sealed with a medium under pressuretherein for insertion in one of said chambers and so designed withrespect to said chamber that the liquor pressure in the operatingchambers remains substantially unchanged from what it was with a loadedyarn supporting device in said chamber.

11. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a pluralityof treating chambers, and a blank-oil member for insertion in one ofsaid chambers comprising a hollow body filled with a medium underpressure, said body being so proportioned with respect to said chamberas to provide a predetermined clearance about said body, and means toposition said body in one of said chambers, whereby said clearancepermits such a liquor flow as will maintain substantially the normalliquor to yarn ratio and pressure for all of said chambers.

12. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a pluralityof intercommunicating chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier forpackages of yarn, means for circulating liquor through said chambers totreat said packages in a predetermined ratio of liquor volume to packagevolume, and a device arranged to be substituted for a selected one ofsaid carriers to control the liquor flow through the selected chamber sothat the predetermined ratio in the remaining chambers is substantiallyunchanged.

HARRY S, DRUM. WILLIAM C. DODSON. WILLIAM H. J AXI-IEIMER.

